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LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
Address1 | 1616 H Street, NW |
Address2 | Suite 902 |
City | Washington |
State | DC |
Zip Code | 20006 |
Country | USA |
3. Principal place of business (if different than line 2)
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5. Senate ID# 11025-12
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6. House ID# 318530000
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TYPE OF REPORT | 8. Year | 2014 |
Q1 (1/1 - 3/31) | Q2 (4/1 - 6/30) | Q3 (7/1 - 9/30) | Q4 (10/1 - 12/31) |
9. Check if this filing amends a previously filed version of this report
10. Check if this is a Termination Report | Termination Date | |
11. No Lobbying Issue Activity |
INCOME OR EXPENSES - YOU MUST complete either Line 12 or Line 13 | |||||||||
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12. Lobbying | 13. Organizations | ||||||||
INCOME relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period was: | EXPENSE relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period were: | ||||||||
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Provide a good faith estimate, rounded to the nearest $10,000, of all lobbying related income for the client (including all payments to the registrant by any other entity for lobbying activities on behalf of the client). | 14. REPORTING Check box to indicate expense accounting method. See instructions for description of options. | ||||||||
Method A.
Reporting amounts using LDA definitions only
Method B. Reporting amounts under section 6033(b)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code Method C. Reporting amounts under section 162(e) of the Internal Revenue Code |
Signature | Digitally Signed By: Thair Phillips, President |
Date | 10/20/2014 |
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code RET
16. Specific lobbying issues
Oppose the use of any version of a "chained" consumer price index (CPI) for the calculation of Social Security and military retiree benefit cost of living adjustments or COLAs.
Support the CPI for Seniors Act, H.R. 2154.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Thair |
Phillips |
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President |
19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code MMM
16. Specific lobbying issues
Support H.R. 351 and S.351 to repeal the Medicare Independent Payment Advisory Board mandated by the Affordable Care Act
Oppose any reduction of Medicare Part B drug and biologic reimbursement payments that will harm patients.
Support robust Part D formularies and continued coverage of the six protected classes.
Support raising the Part D specialty tier cost-sharing threshold above the $600 minimum, and to at least index it to inflation.
Support strong Part D oversight and improved transparency for consumers, as well as a better process for notice of non-coverage, for appeals, and exceptions to provide the best access to necessary, life-saving prescription medications.
Support changes to the Part D Program that would address gaps in coverage, eliminate onerous cost-shifting through the use of specialty tiers and restrictive utilization management tools. Support any changes that improve the effectiveness of the program for those receiving low income subsidies.
Support the most stringent safety requirements for any substitution of biosimilar drugs for any prescribed biologic, including notification of both the patient and the prescribing physician.
Oppose any cuts to the Medicare Part D Program or any legislation requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services to "negotiate" Part D prices or rebates that will forever limit access to the best drugs and biologics for Medicare beneficiaries.
Support "Fight Fraud First" efforts (rather than Medicare benefit cuts or fee increases) to reduce overall Medicare spending.
Oppose any changes to the Medicare Part D program that would shift additional costs to beneficiaries or create barriers to access, both of which actions would lead to cost increases in other parts of the Medicare program.
Oppose all proposed cuts to Medicare reimbursements rates for critical home health services under the Home Health Prospective Payment System (HHPPS).
Support the "Part D Beneficiary Appeals Fairness Act," H.R. 2827 and S. 1365.
Opposed CMS efforts to institute a 700-page Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan "proposed rule" that included harmful changes to the critical "Six Protected Classes" of drugs and attempted to limit drug plan choices for patients. The proposed rule threatened destructive government interference in this successful program that could only result in fewer options and higher costs for beneficiaries. Support H.R. 4160, the Keep the Promise to Seniors Act.
Support H.R. 3320, a measure to broaden coverage to include more Medicare beneficiaries who could benefit from the use of a ventricular assist device (VAD).
Support "340B" Medicaid program reform to end widespread abuse of the drug discount program that ultimately harms patients.
Supported the nomination of Kirsten Axelsen to the position of Commissioner on the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC).
Support a "safety first" unique naming policy for any and all biosimilar drugs pending market approval. Urged the FTC and the FDA to place patient safety and consumer protection above all other considerations regarding biosimilar drugs.
Urged changes to the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 that would allow telehealth to reach its full potential, including relaxed reimbursement restrictions, increased coverage, and removal of other barriers to use such as state licensure barriers.
Support the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) related to the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13), including:1) Adults 65 years of age or older who have not previously received pneumococcal vaccine or whose previous vaccination history is unknown should receive a dose of PCV13 first, followed by a dose of PPSV23; 2) Adults 65 years of age or older who have not previously received PCV13 and who have previously received one or more doses of PPSV23 should receive a dose of PVC13; 3)The recommendations for routine PVC13 use among adults 65 years and older should be re-evaluated in 2018 and revised as needed. To protect at risk and high risk Medicare beneficiaries, the ACIP recommendations should be adopted and implemented without delay.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), President of the U.S., Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Government Accountability Office (GAO)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Thair |
Phillips |
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President |
19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code HCR
16. Specific lobbying issues
Commented to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on the Proposed Rule "Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Programs, and Exchanges: Essential Health Benefits in Alternative Benefit plans, Eligibility Notices Appeals and Other provisions Related to Eligibility and Enrollment for Exchanges, Medicaid and CHIP, and Medicaid Premiums and Cost Sharing." Support language that states must cover all drugs by companies that participate in the Medicaid drug rebate program. Oppose language that allows states to
place "limitations on amount, duration, and scope" and "adopt prior authorization other utilization control measures, as well as policies that promote the use of generic drugs," as open-ended limitations that can greatly impact access and violate the non-discrimination requirements included in the ACA. Urged at least 60 days for the public to review and comment on the respective state plans and subsequent plan changes. Support requiring all Alternative Benefit Plans to cover all preventive service that plans in the marketplace must cover, and oppose cost sharing for the Medicaid expansion population. Urge HHS to ensure that "medically frail" beneficiaries are not forced into a plan that provides fewer benefits than the ABP or the traditional Medicaid package. Urge the strongest possible non-discrimination rule across plans. Oppose copays for the very poor, or in the alternative, support monthly caps on copays. Oppose discriminatory copays and cost-sharing for non-preferred drugs.
Oppose the use of "cost-effectiveness standards" which may compromise care. Support preferred cost-sharing on non-preferred drugs where the prescribing physician determines that the preferred drug would not be as effective or would have adverse effects for the patient. Urge clear and understandable notices and an easily understood, fully accessible, and speedy appeals process.
Oppose sequestration budget cuts that negatively impact the Alzheimer's disease patient community including cuts to basic and translational Alzheimer's research at NIH, funding for FDA, and funding for federal programs that support individuals with dementia, family and paid caregivers at the Administration on Aging (AOA), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and other agencies authorized under the Older Americans Act (OAA).
Supported all of the Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer's Disease (LEAD) Coalition's recommendations to improve the implementation of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease, as submitted by letter to the HHS Secretary.
Urged the HHS Secretary to appoint a new Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Director who is not only well-qualified, but also demonstrates "a commitment to recognizing the diversity, perspective, and participation of patients in every decision the agency makes."
Support FDA draft industry guidance regarding the development of drugs and biomarkers for the safe and effective early stage treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.
Urged the Dept. of Labor to revise the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exception regarding the coordinated annual limitation on out-of-pocket maximums put forth in the February 2013 "Frequently Asked Questions about the ACA" that indicates a major disparity in annual out-of-pocket limits between patients. This is unfair and could cause major hardships for patients dealing with chronic health conditions where out-of-pocket spending can total thousands of dollars each year.
Supported the National Institutes of Health (NIH) creation of the National Center for Advancing Translation Sciences' (NCATS)
"Discovering New Therapeutic Uses for Existing Molecules Initiative," especially as it applies to the enhanced development of new treatments for Alzheimer's Disease.
Support the US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) Transparency and Accountability Act of 2013, H.R. 2143.
Support the Drug Supply Chain Security Act, S.B. 959.
Support the Orphan Drug Tax Credit (ODTC).
Support House and Senate efforts to require HHS to adopt standards ensuring electronic health record systems are interoperable by 2017 or another date certain, as well as provisions to prevent the blocking of information necessary to treat a patient. RetireSafe also supports strong privacy protections in this regard.
Support a "safety first" unique naming policy for any and all biosimilar drugs pending market approval. Urged the FTC and the FDA to place patient safety and consumer protection above all other considerations regarding biosimilar drugs.
Support the "I Am (Still) Essential" patient coalition effort to ensure that enrollees with chronic health conditions are able to
realize full and equal benefits from their Qualified Health Plans (QHPs). To that end, these enrollees must overcome numerous
barriers to care now, including: 1) Limited Benefits and Restricted Access to Care; 2) High Cost-Sharing and Out-of Pocket
Costs; and 3) Unacceptable Plan Transparency and Uniformity, all of which need immediate remedial action.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Health & Human Services - Dept of (HHS), Agency for Health Care Policy & Research, Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Labor - Dept of (DOL), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Thair |
Phillips |
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President |
19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code CSP
16. Specific lobbying issues
Support Automotive "Right to Repair" legislation and/or regulation.
Support the "Promoting Automotive Repair, Trade, and Sales (PARTS) Act," H.R. 1663 and S. 780.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Thair |
Phillips |
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President |
19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code DEF
16. Specific lobbying issues
Support efforts to demand the Defense Health Agency once again provide full TRICARE coverage and payment for more than 100 critical laboratory-developed tests when physicians in the civilian provider network order the tests.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Defense - Dept of (DOD)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Thair |
Phillips |
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President |
19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code BUD
16. Specific lobbying issues
Sopport Fiscal Year 2015 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding of at least $4.7 Billion.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Thair |
Phillips |
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President |
19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
Information Update Page - Complete ONLY where registration information has changed.
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21. Client new principal place of business (if different than line 20)
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22. New General description of client’s business or activities
LOBBYIST UPDATE
23. Name of each previously reported individual who is no longer expected to act as a lobbyist for the client
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ISSUE UPDATE
24. General lobbying issue that no longer pertains
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AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS
25. Add the following affiliated organization(s)
Internet Address:
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Principal Place of Business (city and state or country) |
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26. Name of each previously reported organization that is no longer affiliated with the registrant or client
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FOREIGN ENTITIES
27. Add the following foreign entities:
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28. Name of each previously reported foreign entity that no longer owns, or controls, or is affiliated with the registrant, client or affiliated organization
1 | 3 | 5 |
2 | 4 | 6 |